Napoli legend Dries Mertens has left the club as a free agent after nine fruitful years and has recently been touted for a move to Marseille. It is understood that, despite some rumors, he does not want to star for any other Italian team given his Partenopei allegiance, as per Sky (via TuttoNapoli). He is the club’s all-time goalscorer with 148 strikes from 397 appearances.
Keeping that in mind, his agents have reportedly found a new club in France for their client. His representatives are currently in Marseille in order to negotiate a potential Bosman deal, as per French outlet Foot Mercato. However, contrasting reports from transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that no talks have been held yet.
Done, confirmed. Nemanja Radonjic leaves Olympique Marseille and joins Torino on loan with obligation to buy. Deal completed and now official. ?? #transfers
Dries Mertens, not in talks to join OM as things stand – despite rumours. #OM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2022
Club president Pablo Longoria in a recent press conference revealed his intention of bolstering the club with new and experienced recruits to feed into former Hellas Verona coach Igor Tudor’s first Ligue 1 season.
Mertens demands a wage of €2.5M net per season on a two-year contract, but the initial offer by the Ligue 1’s side was just for the span of one year. However, that could change in the coming days if talks do materialize. Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is surprisingly averse to the idea of keeping the club icon, but coach Luciano Spalletti wants otherwise.
Our Take on Mertens Links to Marseille
The forward is in the latter stages of his career, having just turned 35. The former PSV Eindhoven forward could very well embrace the idea of experiencing a new playing field after etching a legacy at the Partenopei. Nevertheless, it is without a doubt that he would be welcomed back with open arms if Napoli decided to make a competitive offer to keep him.